Today, we conclude our journey through the highs, lows and infinite highs of this sermon series.
From the heights of glory in stunning creation, the likes of creation that creation has never seen!…to the depths of ruin & despair, as the human project goes all wonky, even til this very day. The pain, the hurt, the grief, the hardship, the sin …all mixed in with moments of sheer delight. The broken human project “that requires a little anesthesia.” (Freddy Mercury)
Thank God He didn’t leave us to ourselves! In steps the Savior to do what Savior’s do: SAVE!
This series can be summed up thus: “The biggest Person has the biggest News for the biggest Need and has accomplished this in the biggest Way! Everything about this is big!
God not only has the last word, but he also has the first word and he also has the best word!
Grace – that word, action, reality of the big relief! Grace is not merely a nicey-nice, clean “church word”… it’s a word that meets the mess of our lives with surprising relief, in the anx of anxiety, in the sadness of sin, when you know you fall short and just don’t measure up, and this word comes from Heaven, out of the blue, and surprisingly rescues you!
It’s not only for getting the Pastors question right …Answering correctly in the Bible study.
Grace is for the feeling of failure. The tears of torment, the speechlessness of sin.
When the bottom caves in, when the pressure is on. Like Jean Valjean, when you are in handcuffs, brought back to the one you just stole the silver spoons, facing another 20 years of hard labor for stealing, and the Monsignor says he gave the spoons to you….AND you forgot the silver candlesticks!
It’s a word of surprise. “The merciful surprise” (Jono Linebaugh)
It blind-sides you with relief…. It’s unexpected relief in the fray. It’s a kindness when you deserve harsh!
It’s Grace!
It’s God’s final word. It’s His unconditional freeing word. No other word follows it.
End to the argument, issue, dilemma…
It’s complete. Last. Final….and there is no other! TETELESTAI! It. Is. Finished!
This is His final word that God’s human creatures experience as they are addressed by God, who moves them from fear and hiding to honesty and hope. It’s His promise of forgiveness!
MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH GODS PEOPLE. Amen.
Likes: 0
Viewed:
